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The South Seas, also known as the South Pacific, is home to around 20,000 islands. There are three zones of islands in the South Seas: Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia. Polynesia refers to the tropical islands within the triangle of Hawaii, Easter Island and New Zealand as its three points. Micronesia is just north of Polynesia and is home to the Caroline Islands, Guam and the Marshall Islands. The islands of Melanesia include Fiji, New Caledonia, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Australia and New Zealand offer excellent points to start your trip to the South Seas islands.

Crystal Cruises--Crystal Serenity

Crystal Serenity, 820 feet, came into service in 2003 and accommodates 1,070 passengers in luxury. Serenity has 85 percent veranda staterooms and 100 penthouse suites with verandas, with no obstructed-view staterooms due to innovative placement of lifeboats. Dining choices range from the elegant main dining rooms with ocean view windows to Scoops Ice Cream Bar (complimentary frozen treats and cookies). Kids have the Fantasia children’s center and teens have Waves teen center. Serenity travels 12 days through the South Pacific, embarking in Papeete, Tahiti with visits to Bora Bora, Cook Islands, Tonga, Fiji and disembarking in Auckland, New Zealand. On these 12 days, you will experience white sand beaches, aquamarine lagoons and tropical plant life. Crystal Cruises 2049 Century Park East, Suite 1400 Los Angeles, CA 90067 888-782-0021 310-785-9300 crystalcruises.com/

Regent Seven Seas Cruises--Seven Seas Voyager

Seven Seas Voyager is 670-feet-long and began service in 2003 with the ability to accommodate 700 passengers. Voyager is an all-suite, all-balcony ship with all onboard gratuities included and wireless Internet access throughout the ship. Voyager has four dining choices, including Signatures Restaurant serving Le Cordon Bleu cuisine. Club Marine Youth Program provides supervised entertainment for kids ranging from five to 17. Voyager travels from San Francisco on a 25-night itinerary crisscrossing the South Pacific. Voyager makes stops in Hawaii, Christmas Island, Papeete, Bora Bora, Tonga, and French Polynesia with debarkation in Auckland, New Zealand. Regent Seven Seas Cruises 1000 Corporate Drive, Suite 500 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33334 877-505-5370 954-776-6123 rssc.com/

Royal Caribbean International--Rhapsody of the Seas

Rhapsody of the Seas, 915 feet, was inaugurated in 1997 and accommodates 2,435 passengers. Rhapsody has an indoor/outdoor pool in a Solarium with a sliding roof, six whirlpools, rock-climbing wall, multistory open atrium amidship and Adventure Ocean youth programs for children five to 17 years old. Rhapsody of the Seas travels roundtrip from Sydney, Australia for a 12-day excursion to New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Loyalty Island. Guests will enjoy two days at sea aboard the Rhapsody. Royal Caribbean International 1050 Caribbean Way Miami, FL 33132 866-562-7625 royalcaribbean.com

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About the Author

Michael McCann has been a professional writer and videographer for 14 years covering business and travel topics. Prior to writing, Mr. McCann founded and sold two successful companies. Michael holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing from Baylor University and Master's degree in Accounting from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

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